Tootoo, 34, has zero points and is minus-four in 36 games this season. He hasn’t appeared in a game since Feb. 4.

Rozsival, 38, has one goal and one assist in 16 games this season.

This is expansion draft protection for the Blackhawks in advance of Wednesday afternoon’s NHL trade deadline. Since both have a cap hit below $925k (according to LeBrun), there would be zero cap implications if the Blackhawks waived either/both at any time.

Now that Rozsival and Tootoo have been extended through next season, CHI can expose both to fulfill expansion draft requirements.

Curious about Tootoo. With Kruger and probably Jurco able to be exposed already why re-up a forward for expansion draft eligibility? Unless one of the two gets traded before the ED. Does this mean Kruger is on the block? Seems to me like it could be the case…

With Kruger not taking draws his usefulness killing penalties is limited. If the Hawks are hoping he’s the player Vegas takes they’re full of themselves. Maybe they move him now for something. John Mitchell and Fedor Tyutin or

Could be a discussion was going on and another GM was trying to back Stan into a corner telling him he NEEDED to take some player he did not want and Stan wanted to take that bargaining chip away. Could be they were looking at other options and decided the price was too high so they went ahead and this this as plan B.

Too bad we need to protect Hartman because if we didn’t we could take the 8 skater option and cover 19, 88, 81, 15, 2, 4, 7 , 57 and 50 and force Vegas to select from Glass, Tootoo, Rosy and Kruger.

All I know is Stan knows this stuff inside out. Also I could see him make a deal where he gives Vegas some incentive to take Kruger”s contract in the draft, maybe some draft pick somewhere along the line to go with him or prospect.

Ernie – I think this is a low risk move that hopefully solidifies the bottom pairing, is some insurance in case of an injury and is a guy who was good on the PK. If it doesn’t work out great I don’t think we are giving up much.